If you didn’t catch a mention of it over on Empire’s Twitter page, Sir Ian McKellen has posted his latest blog entry, focusing – since he’s in the middle of shooting right now – on The Hobbit. The biggest chunk of news is something that’s already been all but confirmed, but is still good to hear from Gandalf’s mouth: Hugo Weaving is officially aboard and hanging around the set.

Written in McKellen’s usual friendly, chatty style, the blog makes mention of Martin Freeman departing New Zealand to return to the UK for filming on the next three Sherlock adventures, and Weaving’s recent theatre run, which featured a certain Cate Blanchett as director. And yes, she’ll be reporting to the Hobbit studio for Galadriel duty soon enough.

The blog’s real focus, though is Flight of the Conchords’ Bret McKenzie, who shows up in the film(s) playing Lindir (it means singer – what a top idea!), a part of Elrond’s court. And McKellen argues for a cameo role in any possible Conchords film, which is something we’d pay good money to see.

Finally, there’s a mention of Sylvester McCoy, with word that he’s been in NZ to try on his costume and make-up as fellow wizard Radagast the Brown. Nice to see the former Doctor’s Hobbit dream finally coming true…